Stanford Humanities Center Dissertation Prize & Mellon Dissertation Fellowships

About this program

Stanford Humanities Center and the School of Humanities and Sciences jointly offer the Stanford Humanities Center Dissertation Prize and Mellon Foundation Dissertation Fellowships, providing three academic quarters of support for advanced humanities PhD candidates to complete distinguished dissertations. The SHC Dissertation Prize includes office space, participation in Center programs, a three-quarter stipend (AY 2025–26 was $42,261) and $2,000 in research funds; applicants submit a single application to be considered for one or both awards. Applicants must have advanced to candidacy with an approved dissertation committee and proposal, have exhausted Stanford’s five years of funding (these fellowships may not replace fifth-year support), be TGR by the start of the fellowship (typically in year 5–6), and demonstrate a strong likelihood of completing the degree during the fellowship. The 2026–27 deadline has passed; check back in August 2026 for the next application cycle and note you cannot apply to both the Dissertation Prize/Mellon and the Next Generation Scholar fellowship in the same year.